The Gym Group has agreed a deal to open a fitness facility at a £150million ($192.2m, €179.3m) development in Liverpool known as ‘Project Jennifer’.

The fitness group will occupy a 10,000sq ft (929sq m) unit at the District Centre.

Offering a 24/7 service, members can expect more than 170 pieces of equipment including cardiovascular and resistance machines along with a programme of free exercise classes. The gym will be equipped with showers, changing rooms, vending machines and parking.

The Gym Group, which operates 91 sites in the UK, will join retailers Sainsbury's, B&M and Home Bargains who have already committed to the scheme.

The development by St. Modwen in partnership with Liverpool City Council is set to be completed this summer.

Jonathan Spaven, Gym Group property director, said: “The development of the District Centre is helping to revitalise North Liverpool and this site, which has excellent transport links and high footfall retail and leisure facilities in the immediate locality, provides the perfect location for us.

“As a business, we have invested significantly in our property portfolio and this latest addition helps deliver our ambitious growth plans for 2017.”

Paul Batho, St. Modwen projects director, said: “The Gym Group’s signing boosts the scheme’s offering by providing Great Homer Street with an affordable and accessible fitness facility. We welcome The Gym Group to the District Centre.”

The development is known as Project Jennifer after the niece of the auxiliary bishop of Liverpool, Tom Williams. Bishop Williams was a founding member of a group in the area who were calling for change in the 1990s and he suggested the name. Although Project Jennifer was only meant as a temporary name, it has been associated with the scheme ever since.